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Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says a new breeding aviary for the world’s rarest wading bird, the black stilt, is about to be built in the Mackenzie Basin near Twizel.

“DOC’s captive breeding programme is a key component in the bird’s recovery and the department had been working intensively hatching and rearing chicks in aviaries before releasing them in to the wild.  A snow storm two years ago destroyed one aviary and seriously damaged another,” Ms Barry says.

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has thanked the thousands of volunteers who’re part of the Predator Free 2050 movement and help DOC protect our threatened species.

“New Zealanders are among the most generous people in the world when it comes to volunteering and lending a helping hand. More conservation work is being done now than at any time in our history and volunteers are a significant part of conservation success stories,” Ms Barry says.

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has welcomed two crucial appointments on the road to Predator Free 2050 and the implementation of the New Zealand Threatened Species Strategy.

“Experienced entrepreneur Ed Chignell is Predator Free 2050 Ltd’s new CEO. He has a proven track record as a whole-hearted leader with strong commercial and strategic nous, and the board is confident he has the commitment and the ability to develop the powerful strategic partnerships needed to make Predator Free 2050 a reality,” Ms Barry says.

Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry say the Whangarei Art Museum Trust will receive up to $3 million towards its bespoke project to build a Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangarei. 

This is further to the $4 million the Government contributed towards its construction through the Northland Economic Action Plan.

“The Northland community has worked hard to get this project off the ground and I’m delighted that the Government has been able to provide funding to get this project across the line.

Sporting legend, academic and life coach Sir Peter Snell is to become patron of New Zealand’s SuperSeniors Champions programme and help raise awareness of senior’s issues such as elder abuse and neglect.

The Minister for Seniors, Maggie Barry, has enlisted Sir Peter’s support to spread the word to as many people as possible that elder abuse is not OK.

Minister for Seniors Maggie Barry is calling for everyone to bring the issue of elder abuse and neglect out in to the open and speak out about it whenever possible.

“Elder abuse is not ok and must never be tolerated.  We need to show our respect for seniors and today, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, is an ideal opportunity to start the conversation,” Ms Barry says.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has congratulated the New Zealand Film Commission for its video-on-demand platform, NZ Film On Demand, which has just passed a milestone 100 titles.

“NZ Film On Demand offers New Zealanders a unique portal to view our film history and has a broad range of films, from recent cinema releases to newly digitised classics, short films and documentaries,” Ms Barry says.

NZ Film On Demand was launched in 2014 and is currently available in New Zealand, Australia and the UK. 

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says New Zealand has made clear our long-term commitment to protecting, conserving and sustainably using oceans and marine resources at the United Nations Ocean Conference in New York this week.

“Healthy and productive oceans are enormously important to New Zealand and I’m pleased to have had the opportunity to showcase to the world what we are doing in New Zealand and the Pacific to protect them for generations to come,” Ms Barry says.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says Hawke’s Bay Opera House in Hastings will receive $4 million in funding for seismic strengthening from the Regional Culture and Heritage Fund.

“The Opera House is an important venue for touring performers and this major investment, announced in Hastings by Prime Minister Bill English today, will help future-proof it as a cultural hub for the Hawke’s Bay region,” Ms Barry says.

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says she fully supports Fish and Game’s decision to phase out lead shot for waterfowl hunting.

Fish & Game’s New Zealand Council voted last month to end the exemption which allowed several thousand firearms owners to use lead shot.

“By the 2021 shooting season, shotgun owners will have to use non-toxic shot when they’re hunting ducks, swan and pukeko over water,” Ms Barry says.

A national commemoration to mark the heavy price paid by New Zealand troops at Messines a hundred years ago will be streamed online tomorrow so all Kiwis can pay their respects to the 700 who died in the battle on 7 June 1917.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says the ceremony will reflect on the desolation at Messines Ridge and New Zealand’s enduring relationship with Belgium.

The achievements of dedicated conservation workers and volunteers have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list released today.

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has congratulated the recipients and says everyone on the list has been recognised for the exceptional work they do for their local communities and New Zealand.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has congratulated the recipients of the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours announced today.

“There are inspiring and committed people working hard every day to help tell New Zealand’s stories through art, music, theatre, ballet, opera and broadcasting,” Ms Barry says.

A woman who has given more than 45 years’ service to older New Zealanders has been made a Dame in the Queen’s Birthday Honours released today.

The Minister for Seniors, Maggie Barry, has congratulated Dame Peggy Koopman-Boyden on being made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry is to attend the United Nations Ocean Conference in New York this week and will host the UN Secretary General’s launch of ‘The World Ocean Assessment’.

“New Zealand and Barbados co-chaired the process which led to the publication of this landmark document that will help inform the discussion around how we save our oceans,” Ms Barry says.

Communications Minister Simon Bridges and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry have welcomed the announcement of a safe, interactive ad-free space for primary school age children to explore and enjoy online local media content.

The new media initiative is a collaboration between NZ On Air and TVNZ. The interactive curated website will be run by a newly formed team at TVNZ, utilising the company’s expertise and technology.

Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges, Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry welcome the kick-off of the DHL NZ Lions Series 2017.

The New Zealand Lions Series 2017 will take place from 3 June to 8 July 2017, and will see the British & Irish Lions rugby team play ten matches against New Zealand in seven host cities, including three test matches.

The series starts tomorrow night when the Lions take on the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians at Whangarei’s Toll Stadium.

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has welcomed the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s report on saving New Zealand’s native birds and her endorsement of Predator Free 2050. 

“Dr Jan Wright identifies a broad range of important matters that are key to saving our treasured native birds, and reinforces DOC is on the right track with its species protection work,” Ms Barry says.

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says the Whio Recovery Programme has made considerable progress towards securing the future of the species.

“Through a $4.5 million partnership with Genesis Energy going back to 2011 we have effective predator control at eight sites and some protection at 17 other sites. There is a network of 5000 new stoat traps protecting 599 pairs of whio across the country,” Ms Barry says.

Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry today announced the 2017 Green Ribbon Awards finalists, recognising exceptional environmental and conservation initiatives throughout New Zealand.

“These national awards, now in their 27th year, play an important role in celebrating and raising the profile of outstanding contributions by individuals, communities and organisations to protect and manage New Zealand’s environment,” Dr Smith says.

Budget 2017 includes a significant investment in Radio New Zealand, as well as new funding to support the understanding of our most important national stories, Ms Barry says.

Radio New Zealand will receive an additional $11.4 million of operating funding over the next four years to allow for investment in new modern technology and improved capability.

“RNZ provides a high quality, responsive service. The new funding will ensure it remains an accessible and sustainable public broadcaster,” Ms Barry says.

Budget 2017 invests an additional $107.8 million to strengthen conservation programmes and manage tourism growth on public conservation land, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

“This funding continues the Government’s commitment to Predator Free 2050 with a range of specific initiatives to protect and restore threatened species, fight kauri dieback, increase predator, pest and weed control and marine protection as well as respond to tourism growth,” Ms Barry says.

Our unique natural heritage is set to inspire New Zealand artists through an initiative announced today by the Minister of Conservation and the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Maggie Barry.

“Wild Creations will offer a range of opportunities to connect New Zealand artists with the people, stories and challenges of our distinctive natural culture - from spending time alongside a threatened species recovery team and tracking native bird predators, to accompanying volunteers on conservation projects,” Ms Barry says.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry announced today the appointment of two new members to the board of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO), as well as the reappointment of the chair and two members.

“The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is world-class and is going from strength to strength with exciting programmes of performances. These appointments continue the orchestra’s strength of governance,” Ms Barry says

The two new board members are Sue Paterson of Wellington and Laurence Kubiak of Auckland.